The Phoenix area is known for its warm to hot temperatures all year round, with nearly every day in the summer topping 99°F. While driving, it’s important to be cautious about the effects extreme heat can have on your vehicle. For a safe drive, our Phoenix area Volkswagen dealership encourages you to follow these six warm weather driving tips:
1. Check Your Battery
In the hot weather, car batteries are more susceptible to damage. Constant heat and vibration can cause the battery to suffer an internal breakdown, eventually leading to failure. You can protect your battery by making sure it is securely attached to prevent vibration.
If your battery is three or more years old, get it tested by a technician in our VW service center to determine how much longer it will last!
2. Maintain Your Car’s Cooling System
When temperatures rise, extra pressure is put on your vehicle’s engine. Additionally, the rubber cooling system parts can also deteriorate when exposed to extreme heat. Have a technician inspect your cooling system to make sure it can properly protect your engine from overheating.
3. Inspect All Fluids
Your car requires a few essential fluids to keep it running. High temperatures will evaporate your vehicle’s fluid levels and reduce their cooling effect, which leads to overheating.
You should inspect all of your car’s fluids, including:
- Motor oil
- Transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Brake fluid
4. Check Tire Pressure
Always make sure your tires are properly inflated, as under-inflated tires can overheat and increase the likelihood of a dangerous blowout. Maintaining the correct tire pressure is also very important for getting the best gas mileage and a long life out of your tires.
5. Make Sure Your Air Conditioning Works
When a heat wave hits, a cool environment is crucial to keep you safe and protected. Make sure your air conditioning system is maintained to sufficiently cool down your car’s interior. If your air conditioning isn’t working as well as it should, it could be due to a blocked or broken condenser, low refrigerant, or electrical faults.
6. Be Prepared For a Breakdown
Even if you properly maintain your vehicle, there is still a chance it could breakdown on a hot day. Stay prepared for this possibility by storing an emergency kit in your car with these items:
- Water
- Non-perishable food items
- Jumper cables
- A flashlight with extra batteries
- Road flares
- Emergency beacon
- Basic hand tools
- First aid kit
Maintain Your VW Model For Phoenix Area Weather
You should always make sure your vehicle can handle the weather conditions you live in. Stay on top of your car’s recommended maintenance schedule, and get repairs fixed immediately. Face it, the last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere in the heat!
For more warm weather driving tips, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at our VW dealership near Phoenix today!
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